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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Success in Kitchener's Home Opener

September 29, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener, ON - Kitchener opened the season with a 4-3 win over Saginaw at the Aud. Kyle Morey and Matthew Andonovski both scored their first OHL goals in the tightly contested home opener. The first goal scored by Kitchener of the 2023-24 season came from Mitchell Martin, who put up two points in the contest.

Kitchener went down early in the first period for a long five on three penalty kill as they took two separate penalties 21 and 25 seconds into the game. Michael Misa, the 2022 first-overall pick and exceptional status center, scored both goals on their powerplay. The first was on a deflection tipped down into the net. This goal was assisted by Zayne Parekh and Hunter Haight. Misa scored his second goal putting the puck just under the crossbar from the top of the circle to put Saginaw up 2-0 under two minutes into the game.

Carson Campbell laid a big hit in behind the Rangers net causing retaliation from Valentin Zhugin which resulted in the Rangers first powerplay of the game. Zhugin was assessed a 10-minute misconduct, a five-minute major for fighting, and a two-minute instigation penalty while Kitchener defender Campbell was assessed a five-minute major for fighting.

The first period ended 2-0 Saginaw as Andrew Oke made all seven saves required of him, and Kitchener's Jackson Parsons stopped 10 of 12 shots in the period.

Martin scored first for the Rangers early in the second period just 1:11 in. Tanner Lam carried the puck into Saginaw's zone down on a two-on-one with Martin. Lam dished it over to Martin who went in a scored. Matthew Sop was awarded the secondary assist.

Kyle Morey scored his first career OHL goal to tie the game at two late in the second period. Cameron Mercer passed the puck out from behind the net to Morey who buried it with 2:54 remaining. Antonino Pugliese was awarded a secondary assist on the goal. After two frames the score was all tied at two, and shots were 22-14 in favour of Saginaw.

It was a busy start to the third period with both teams scoring in the first minute. Kitchener's Matthew Andonovski scored his first career OHL goal 21 seconds into the frame off a pass from Adrian Misaljevic who took the puck around the net and dished it off to him. Rehkopf recorded his first point of the campaign with an assist on the goal. Hunter Haight quickly answered for Saginaw scoring 57 seconds into the third period. Haight stole the puck in Kitchener's defensive zone and went in and scored on a one-on-one against Parsons.

With 5:56 remaining in regulation Kitchener was awarded a powerplay as Calem Mangone of Saginaw took a hooking penalty. Despite heavy pressure, Oke kept the game tied at three a piece. However, with 2:08 remaining Pugliese turned on the red light as he scored on a wrist shot from the top of the circle. Martin was awarded his second point of the night with an assist on the goal. This goal won the game for Kitchener 4-3 as Parsons stood strong to close the game out. The final shots were 34-29 in favour of Saginaw.

Kitchener went 0/4 on the powerplay and 1/3 on the penalty kill. Parsons was named the third star of the game, Misa of Saginaw was awarded the second star after a two-goal performance, and Kitchener's Martin was awarded the first star of the game with one goal and one assist.

Up Next: Kitchener heads to Flint on Saturday, September 30th before starting a busy week which includes a trip to Sarnia on Wednesday, October 4th. Their next home game is Friday, October 6th vs. Owen Sound. Tickets can be found at the box office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2023


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